Algeria brain drain may grow no matter election result

2019 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Working Conditions ◽  
Brain Drain ◽  
Oil And Gas ◽  
Private Business ◽  
Foreign Investors ◽  
Content Type ◽  
State Sector ◽  
Election Result ◽  
The Government ◽  
External Borrowing

Significance One of the symptoms of the policy drift that has characterised Algeria during the latter part of Bouteflika’s rule has been the steady exodus of qualified professionals towards Europe, the Gulf and North America. The government and major employers such as Sonatrach, the national oil and gas corporation, have recognised the gravity of this problem, but have so far failed to implement effective remedies. Impacts Improving working conditions for state-sector workers will require more investment, leading to external borrowing and increased taxation. Providing more incentives for private business and foreign investors may encourage companies to devote resources to harnessing local skills. The reforms being undertaken within Sonatrach could be a model for other sectors if they succeed in creating a more satisfied workforce.

Oil will drive record Guyana growth again in 2022

2021 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Oil And Gas ◽  
National Development ◽  
Oil Industry ◽  
Medium Term ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Development Plans ◽  
The Government ◽  
Wage Increases ◽  
Oil And Gas Sector

Significance As in 2020 and 2021, this projected growth will be driven by the ongoing expansion of the oil and gas sector, and related investment and state revenues. These rising revenues will support the government’s ambitious national development plans, which include both increased social and infrastructure spending. Impacts The government will prioritise enhancing the oil and gas investment framework. Investment into joint oil and gas infrastructure with Suriname will benefit the growing oil industry in both countries. The expansionary fiscal policy may lead to a rise in inflation, leading to further calls for wage increases. In the medium term, strong growth in the oil and gas sector could lead to increased climate change activism in the country.

New Algerian polls will not address protest demands

2021 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Economic Reforms ◽  
Political Prisoners ◽  
Old Regime ◽  
Foreign Investors ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Protest Movement ◽  
External Borrowing

Significance Demonstrations resumed on February 22, the second anniversary of the ‘Hirak’ movement that ousted President Abdelaziz Bouteflika from office. His successor, President Abdelmadjid Tebboune, has failed to appease the protest movement. On February 21, he announced the release of political prisoners, a partial cabinet reshuffle and the dissolution of parliament in anticipation of elections, but the measures appear to have been ineffective in staving off dissent. Impacts After the elections, Tebboune might have backing for economic reforms that would open the economy to foreign investors. As reserves have fallen to USD43bn, down from USD59bn in February 2020, Algiers may have to resort to external borrowing. Members of the old regime who survived the fall of Bouteflika might decide to fight back if Tebboune challenges their interests too much.

New government in Guyana will face challenges

2015 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Government Spending ◽  
Social Progress ◽  
Consensus Building ◽  
Business Climate ◽  
Foreign Investors ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Political Tension ◽  
National Congress ◽  
The Government ◽  
Progressive Party

Significance The government has changed hands only once since independence in 1966: in 1992 the People's Progressive Party (PPP), led by Cheddi Jagan, assumed power following 26 years of People's National Congress (PNC) government. Since the last election in 2011 the government has been hamstrung by a parliament in which a coalition of opposition parties, including the PNC, held a one-seat majority. The result has been gridlock, with no new legislation approved, and continuous disputes over the budget, government spending and agreements with foreign investors. Impacts The election could allow a new government to work toward consensus-building. This might facilitate policies to develop Guyana's potential, and narrow the socioeconomic gap with the rest of the region. If the result is close, political tension and deadlock will persist, undermining the business climate, investment and social progress.

Myanmar regulation reform will spur investment

2015 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Direct Investment ◽  
Economic Reforms ◽  
Business Environment ◽  
Regulatory Environment ◽  
Business Climate ◽  
Foreign Investors ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Effective Administration ◽  
Regulation Reform ◽  
The Government

Subject Myanmar's business environment. Significance The government is instituting measures to improve the business climate and attract foreign direct investment (FDI) into the economy. As part of this effort, on February 24, it instituted the Competition Act. However, while there has been an influx of new FDI, foreign investors remain wary -- largely because of the challenges of navigating Myanmar's old and complex regulatory environment. Impacts Economic reforms could slow in the event of an opposition electoral victory, as the new government gains experience. Improvements to the business environment could be constrained by a faltering or failed ethnic peace process. Regulatory reforms backed up by effective administration could contribute to equitable economic growth.

Indonesian energy reform eyes public-private balance

2015 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Oil And Gas ◽  
Local Level ◽  
National Level ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Resource Endowment ◽  
Gas Market ◽  
The Government ◽  
Private Investors ◽  
Energy Assets ◽  
Oil And Gas Sector

Subject Proposed reforms in the oil and gas sector. Significance In the face of strong resource nationalism, President Joko 'Jokowi' Widodo's government faces strong pressure to improve the balance between public control and private participation in the oil and gas sector. To that end, the government proposes to amend the 2001 oil and gas law. Its draft amendment proposes, most notably, that state enterprises should control all production operations, while private investors provide technology and capital. The government is also considering revisions to the upstream regime, which is currently based on production-sharing contracts (PSCs). These changes require parliamentary approval. Impacts Private firms, especially foreign ones, are likely to delay fresh investment in energy assets, given the oil and gas market glut. Indonesia's vast natural resource endowment will attract private interest, but regulatory uncertainty will be an abiding problem. Transparency in the extractive sector will continue to rise at the national level, but local level reforms will be slow.

Mongolia mine move raises nationalisation fears

2017 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Prime Minister ◽  
Public Support ◽  
The State ◽  
Russian Government ◽  
Mining Company ◽  
Foreign Investors ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Parliamentary Elections ◽  
Main Obstacle ◽  
The Government

Subject The sale of the Erdenet mine. Significance The day before parliamentary elections in June last year, Prime Minister Saikhanbileg Chimed announced the sale of 49% of shares held by the Russian government in the Erdenet Mining Corporation and the Mongolrostsvetmet mining company to Mongolia Copper Corporation, an unknown private Mongolian company. Subsequent parliamentary inquiry concluded that the sale was unconstitutional and the government ordered the shares transferred to the state on February 16 this year. The government’s actions received wide public support while polls reveal that the electorate views corruption as the main obstacle to Mongolia’s development Impacts Talk of 'nationalisation' in the Western media threatens to derail Mongolia's efforts to fix its image and attract foreign investors. The unusual circumstances of the sale raise suspicions of corruption and collusion between Mongolia's previous government and largest bank. The new government's will to scrutinise sale demonstrates the strength of Mongolia’s democracy.

Lithium industry could take off in Mexico

2016 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Supply Chain ◽  
Electric Vehicle ◽  
Mining Industry ◽  
Foreign Investors ◽  
Domestic Production ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Mining Companies ◽  
The Government ◽  
The Relationship

Subject Outlook for lithium production. Significance Mexico has the potential to become a significant lithium producer in the next few years. As well as having found deposits in several parts of the country that appear promising, the mining industry in Mexico benefits from a regulatory and taxation regime that has proved attractive to domestic and foreign investors. Impacts Domestic production of lithium would help reduce Mexico's heavy dependence on imports. The Sonora project could help Tesla assure access to lithium, a link in the electric vehicle supply chain it does not currently control. The government will struggle to tackle extortion, given the opacity of the relationship between crime groups and mining companies.

Persistent protests threaten Tunisian government

2017 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Political Parties ◽  
Oil And Gas ◽  
Coalition Government ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Government ◽  
Oil And Gas Sector

Significance Another field, Chouech Essaida, has been shut since February 28 because of labour unrest. Demonstrations extend beyond the oil and gas sector. Months of protests across Tunisia are beginning to exact a toll on the coalition government as demonstrators return to the streets of the capital to challenge the latest effort to pass a controversial ‘economic reconciliation’ bill that would in effect give amnesty to businessmen who engaged in corrupt practices under the former regime. Impacts The unity of the coalition government will come under further pressure as ministers struggle to respond to demonstrations. Political parties risk becoming more isolated from the electorate without major internal reforms. The government will be tempted to return to more authoritarian techniques of rule as protests deepen.

Mexico’s brain drain to continue unabated

2018 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Human Resources ◽  
Brain Drain ◽  
The United States ◽  
Government Agency ◽  
National Council ◽  
Skilled Workers ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Government ◽  
The University

Subject Mexico's brain drain. Significance Recent studies suggest increasing numbers of skilled professionals are emigrating from Mexico. A report by the University of Zacatecas (UAZ) published in March shows more than 1.4 million Mexicans with postgraduate degrees left the country between 1990 and 2015 due to a lack of professional development opportunities. According the National Council for Science and Technology (CONACYT), the government agency responsible for policy in this area, 46% of skilled emigrants live in Europe, 30% in the United States, 12% in Latin America and 7% in Canada. Impacts Emigration of skilled workers will be a fiscal burden as it annuls the benefits of investing in human resources. Policies to attract foreign talent could mitigate the problem, but there is no evidence that this is being considered. A contentious election outcome could trigger instability, further fuelling the outward flow of highly skilled Mexicans.

If Kosovo-Serbia deal fails, violence could recur

2018 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Rule Of Law ◽  
Legal Protection ◽  
Foreign Investors ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Government ◽  
Economic Outlook ◽  
Weak Rule

Significance Kosovo politicians are deliberating a deal with Serbia that would trade territory for recognition. Domestic opposition to a deal based on partition is high. Impacts Bosnia and Macedonia will note the emerging US position on Kosovo -- no inviolable borders, and multi-ethnicity no longer a goal in itself. Weak rule of law and lack of legal protection will deter foreign investors, fearing disputes with a politically connected counter-party. The prospect of former UCK parties leaving and neo-Marxist Vetevendosje joining the government leaves the economic outlook uncertain.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document